BOATsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Module 05 - Navigating the Waterways

Collision Avoidance Rules: Sailboats

Sailboat Navigation Terminology:

Port Tack:: When the wind is coming over the port (left) side of the sailboat.
Starboard Tack:: When the wind is coming over the starboard (right) side of the sailboat.
Windward:: Indicates the direction from which the wind is coming (‘upwind’).
Leeward:: Indicates the direction the wind is blowing toward (‘downwind’).

Sailboat Right-of-Way

Even if you never plan on operating a sailboat, understanding the Collision Avoidance Rules for sailboats is part of being a responsible boat operator. You should know sailboat rules in order to operate around sailboats safely.

A sailboat always has the right-of-way over a powerboat (unless the sailboat is overtaking the powerboat, in which case the sailboat becomes the give-way craft). The following rules determine which boat has the right-of-way when a sailboat approaches another sailboat.

Wind on Different Sides:

When each sailboat has the wind on a different side, the sailboat which has the wind on the port (left) side shall keep out of the way of the other.

Wind on the Same Side:

When both sailboats have the wind on the same side, the sailboat that is windward shall keep out of the way of the sailboat that is to leeward.

Note: If the operator of a sailboat with the wind on the port (left) side sees a sailboat to windward and cannot determine with certainty on which side the other sailboat has the wind, then the operator should keep out of the way of the other sailboat.